Rev. William Harvey, age 92, of Marianna, Florida passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, October 13, 2023 surrounded by family. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday October 21st at the Greater Buckhorn Missionary Baptist Church located 4691 Hwy 162 Marianna, FL with Moderator Rev. Riley J. Henderson Presiding, Reverends Dwight Cockerham, Feddie Roulhac, Bishop John McMillion, and Dr. H.G. McCollough Eulogist officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Mckinnie Funeral Home of Campbellton, FL directing.
Public viewing for family and friends will be held from 4 to 6p.m. Friday October 20th at Second West Baptist Association Church located at 4110 Herring Ave Marianna, FL.
Rev. Harvey was born on October 4, 1931 in Grand Ridge, Florida to the late Tom and Susie Jenkins Harvey.
Rev. Harvey graduated from Jackson County Training School, and then attended Chipola College. After a short employ as an auto mechanic, William Harvey went into business for himself in 1966 starting Harvey’s Motors located on Highway 71 North. Fifteen years later, he moved his business to Old US Road near his home. As a business owner in the community, Rev. Harvey always displayed honesty, integrity, and respect. He retired from the auto repair business in 1988 but he never retired from his business as a man of God.
He began preaching in 1975 and received his “Certificate of Ordination” in 1976 at which time he became the full-time minister at Buckhorn Missionary Baptist Church, Greenwood, Florida where he served fully and faithfully until 2021. During that time, he served for many years as the Vice Moderator for the 2nd West Missionary Baptist Association and, also the Chairperson of the Education Committee. Rev. Harvey could be called on at any time day or night by his family, his members, and folks in the community for whatever assistance was needed. As someone once called him, he was indeed “everybody’s minister”.
On January 3, 1951, he was united in holy and loving matrimony to his forever friend Pattie Rene Dillard. They were dedicated to each other for 67 years until she preceded him in death on January 22, 2018.
He was also preceded in death by brothers Leonard Harvey, Lemon Harvey and Raymond Harvey. His sister Gertrude Harvey Smith, sisters-in-law Annie E. Harvey, Glorious Harvey and Chelcie Mckinnie.
Rev. Harvey leaves to cherish his sweet memories, one daughter, Priscilla M. Keith; three grandchildren, Andria (Elijah) Cole, William (Vanessa) Gold wire, and Byron Goldwire; four great-grandchildren, Alexander Cole, Marquise Davis, Priscilla (Deonta’e) Gillis, and Chauncey Goldwire and one great, great-grandchild Jaxon Gillis. Sister, Lizzie Harvey, and brother, Thomas (Inez) Harvey. God-Children, Johnny (Leola) Speights, John (Sharon) McMillian, Carolyn Hodge, Flozell Gilmore, Viola Smith, Marilyn Roulac, and Teddy Garrett. Dedicated nephew and care-giver, Thomas E. Harvey, Jr., brother-in-law Shira Mckinnie Sr and Special Friend, Shirley Travis-Pollock along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Rev. Harvey was truly a big man, with a big voice, a big golden smile, and a big hug to give to all who needed one.
